"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, the age of foolishness, the spring of hope, the winter of despair."

To Charles Dickens that immortalised, if abbreviated, quote.

We have just been through the most amazing chapter in our rugby-playing history, culminating in only a third, but unquestionably the greatest, Grand Slam. Yet, running parallel, was the ever-growing elephant in the room consistently referred to as 'The Belfast Trial'.

Given the northern province's bloodied and political judicial history, that moniker is in itself some statement. I'll avoid saying "it captured the imagination" because, for this observer, virtually every detail stuck in the craw.

Given my passion for sport and rugby, I, as a human being and a male, have been appalled by what we have all been exposed to in the past few months.

And, for the record, I despise the long-held populist image of the rugger bugger, beer-swilling days and all that they entailed.

I loathe the stories of televisions being chucked out of hotel rooms, of doors being broken down, fire extinguishers let off and so many other so-called laddish pranks. Even those sort of misdemeanours give me an uncomfortable chill in the pit of my stomach, so where stands modern-day behaviour culminating in a Laganside Magistrates Court? Irrespective of the judicial outcome, what can be said is that there were no winners.

During the trial, the court heard evidence of the amounts of alcoholic drinks consumed by the then-charged Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding on the night of the alleged sexual assaults.

Learning of this type of behaviour should not come as a surprise though, as these drinking habits aren't unusual for professional players once their season ends.

If anything has come from the fallout of the trial in terms of the game of rugby itself, it is that a line has been drawn and professional players on this island have had their cards marked in relation to the consumption of alcohol and what is simply not acceptable.

In revoking Jackson's and Olding's respective contracts, the IRFU have made the only decision they could possibly make as a governing body. While I am in no doubt that corporate sponsorship factors played a part, I would like to think the individuals central to the decision-making process did what they believed to be right on moral and ethical grounds, irrespective of the judicial outcome.

My heart feels for the young girl central to the case, irrespective of the jury's findings which I accept as final.

I suspect that both players have been somewhat stunned at the extent of public reaction but I have little sympathy. I felt a real sense of arrogance emanating from the post-trial statement read out by Jackson's legal team.

The bottom line is that two outstanding young rugby players have brought the game into disrepute; a game that has served them well, given them a beautiful way of making a living.

In strictly playing terms, Ulster's loss will be the English Premiership or French Top 14's gain, as Jackson and Olding still have rugby-playing potential.

Had Jackson been available, particularly given his form in Japan last summer, Johnny Sexton would have had a real rival for the No.10 shirt back in November, as Joey Carbery would not have been mapped as the cover out-half at that stage.

For now, the sole concern must be the fallout from the trial. There is no such thing as enough education. The day you stop learning as a rugby player is the day you hang up your boots.

I envy this generation in terms of their opportunity to focus solely on the game, but they have challenges we never faced, not least in social media.

In relation to the sickening WhatsApp messages that were read out in court, it added another layer of revulsion and no such brutish Jack-the-Lad talk happened in the boozy times of old.

The smart phone may be the root of much evil but it is the user responsible.

Better education in schools - allied to the IRFU's stated intention to "conduct an in-depth review of existing structures and educational programmes within the game" - to ensure the core values of respect, inclusivity and integrity are clearly understood, supported and practised makes for a clear path forward.

The best of times and worst of times for rugby, but the right and proper decision by the IRFU.